After my problems with brake and bearings being replaced and repacked,done by pros. I spent a fair amount of time with my axles lately and read a lot of info both here and on other sites. Mine are sitting between 2 deg pos and 0 deg and when lifting the camper I got about one inch motion. So from what I had read I thought I was in need of new axles. I called the people at Airstream jackson center and they told me that They used 22 deg pos too 10 deg neg as the normal range, and said I was not in need of new axles and that I most likely had a few yrs to go. I know this will likely stir the pot here but thought many would like to know what JC's guidelines are. Good camping Rand

Well I was just at the scales last wk and the scales read 4560 on the axles and 950 on the tongue. The tag on the camper reads 3000 per axle (2) and gvw of 6300 lbs so I'm well within limits on the axles. I have been taking her out at least every 2 to 3 months for the last 11 yrs. I measured the motion by placing a thin wooden strip next to the wheel then a strip of tape on the center of the cap marked the wood and the wheel then raised the camper until the tire just lifted off the ground remarked the wood strip and measured. I'm not trying to start a big uproar here just letting members know what JC told me about my axles as I posted to start this thread. Good camping Rand

Well I was just at the scales last wk and the scales read 4560 on the axles and 950 on the tongue. The tag on the camper reads 3000 per axle (2) and gvw of 6300 lbs so I'm well within limits on the axles. I have been taking her out at least every 2 to 3 months for the last 11 yrs. I measured the motion by placing a thin wooden strip next to the wheel then a strip of tape on the center of the cap marked the wood and the wheel then raised the camper until the tire just lifted off the ground remarked the wood strip and measured. I'm not trying to start a big uproar here just letting members know what JC told me about my axles as I posted to start this thread. Good camping Rand

Thank you for the info. You know how it is here, people will argue just for argument sake and frankly I bet you already know that.

__________________MICHAEL

Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."

Thanks Rich and Michael for replies I had read a lot about the 2/3" rule and the angles here and was sure I needed axles until speaking to JC. I wonder how many people have had there axles replaced without speaking to JC and having local shop replace still good axles. A phone call saved me 2 to 3 grand. Good camping all. Rand

Funny to me that this post showed up today. I am currently returning from Dexter factory in Monticello Georgia. I have two brand new 5200# axles for replacement. I had a real education about just this subject. I agree with the folks who say "it depends" when asked how much drop there should be. Dexter on the web has all of the charts to measure drop based on axle and load. There are so many different configurations that the drop of 3" as a standard is anything but a standard. According to the charts, I should have seen a 2.25" drop (load to unloaded). Mine ranged between 1" and 1.5". Trailer is a 1989, but stamp on axles were 4500# made in 1971. I am replacing. I had the often reported problem of blowing tires. I went through everything including 10 ply tt. I have new 16 Michelins on New 16 Aluminum wheels waiting for the axles to be installed. (by me). I am anxious to measure the drop on the brand new axles with the same weight conditions. Stay tuned.

Fordfarmer being that your axles are 26 yrs old I think a replacement is a good choice I would like to hear how the new axles measure out keep in touch. Being that mine are 11.5 yrs I thought that was early failure I hope to get 3 to 5 more yrs out of mine after speaking to JC. I will keep an eye on them for the next few yrs.
Thanks Rand